Activists accuse PM-chaired PRAGATI of flexing muscle in allocating mineral blocks
The HinduLeaders of people’s movements and social activists on Saturday accused the Prime Minister-chaired PRAGATI - the ICT-based multi-modal platform for the timely implementation of projects involving the Centre and State governments - of pressuring States into allocating mineral blocks, thereby undermining the constitutional rights of local communities. “States were asked to clear major projects and carry out auction of mineral blocks in in the 45th meeting of PM-chaired PRAGATI on December 26 last year. Subsequently, Odisha Chief Secretary directed departmental secretaries and district collectors to expedite auction of major minerals and issue letter of intents to the companies immediately for the operation of mining leases,” Prafulla Samantara, President of Lok Shakti Abhiyan, said at a press conference in Bhubaneswar. The State government must ensure that the process of auction of mining leases in Odisha are fully compliant with the constitutional and statutory laws,” Mr. Samantara said.
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